In order to operate a Control and Certification Body for organic production in the Republic of Cyprus, one needs to obtain an authorization for private control and certification body from the Department of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.

The term “Control body” means an independent private third party carrying out inspection and certification in the field of organic production, whereas the term ‘Organic production’ means the use of the production method compliant with the rules established in the Council Regulation (EC) 834/2007 at all stages of production, preparation and distribution.

Eligibility Criteria

The Department of Agriculture grants an authorization for private control and certification body for organic products provided that the Department is satisfied that the legal person:

Has the expertise, equipment and infrastructure required to perform the tasks delegated to it;

Has a sufficient number of suitable qualified and experienced staff;

Is impartial and free from any conflict of interest regarding the exercise of the tasks delegated to it;

Has laboratory facilities or collaborates with a laboratory;

Is accredited to the most recently notified version, by a publication in the C series of the Official Journal of the European Union, of European Standard EN 17065 (General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems).

Moreover, the Department of Agriculture takes into account the following criteria:

The standard control procedure to be followed containing a detailed description of the control measures and precautions that the body undertakes to impose on operators subject to its control;

Measures that the control body intends to apply where irregularities and infringements are found;

Reliability, objectivity and independence of the body;

Curriculum vitae of auditors and members of the Technical Committee of the Body, which evaluates applications for certification;

The location of the registered offices of the Organization; and

The Constitution and the Organizational chart.

Application Procedure

The application for authorization for private control certification body can be submitted either through the PSC Cyprus or directly to the competent authority:

Copy of evidence that the applicant holds the necessary expertise, equipment and infrastructure;

Copy of evidence that the applicant has a sufficient number of suitable, qualified and experienced staff;

Copy of evidence of impartiality from any conflict of interest regarding the exercise of duties to be delegated;

Copy of the organization logo placed on the packaging of organic products and foodstuff upon certification;

Copy of evidence of the laboratory infrastructure or disclosure of collaborating laboratories;

Copy of documentation regarding the standard control procedure to be followed, containing a detailed description of control measures and precautions which the body undertakes to impose on operators subject to control;

Copy of documentation regarding the measures the control body intends to implement in cases of irregularities and / or infringements are found;

Copy of the registered office address;

Copy of evidence of the organisation’s experience in monitoring and certifying organic products;

Copy of documentation regarding the reliability, objectivity and independence of the organisation;

Curriculum vitae of the inspectors and members of the Technical Committee of the organisation.

The applicant is informed regarding the authorisation decision within three months from the date that the application form and supporting documents were duly submitted.

The licence is valid for 1 year from the date of issue and can be renewed on a yearly basis.